Moving to Toronto

Expats relocating to Toronto will find this the most developed of Canadian cities. Its population, infrastructure, economic power, architectural sophistication and cosmopolitan atmosphere is unmatched in the country.

This Ontario capital nestles between the two Great Lakes of Huron and Ontario, after which the region is named. The lakes are one of the continent’s most distinctive features, and many tourists come to hike, swim and boat along their shores.

Toronto is the heart of Canada's working world and home to a number of large banking institutions. Expats looking for job opportunities in film, business, finance, biotechnology, aerospace, media, communications and IT will find this is a great place in which to build their career and gain lots of experience.

Downtown Toronto is one of the most densely populated city centres in North America and boasts some of the world's most revolutionary and luxurious accommodation options for expats. Glass, metal and red face brick compete to be the face of the city. The CN tower, which was for 30 years the tallest free-standing structure in the world, can be seen from all over the city. Torontonians claim that navigating by the tower will ensure that getting lost is next to impossible, and this can be helpful for expats recently arrived in the city.

The arts are widely celebrated in Toronto, possessing more than 50 ballet and dance companies, six opera companies, two symphony orchestras, a number of theatres, open-air Shakespeare plays, the Toronto International Film Festival, and one of the top European film schools in the Pinewood Studios Group. Expats will quickly become arts appreciators if they weren’t before.

Toronto has also earned renown as a world shopping destination. Those taking the time to wander down and into Yonge Street, the bustling Thomas Eaton Centre, Queen West Street and high street Yorkville will find a host of the world’s top names. Many local stores and specialty boutiques find themselves wedged between exclusive European and American outlets.

Expats with a resident permit will be able to take advantage of Canada's tax-funded health insurance. Those who are in Canada on a more short-term basis will need to invest a private health insurance policy to cover any medical needs during their stay in Toronto. Regardless of one's position though, expats can rest assured the doctors in Toronto are highly qualified and healthcare facilities are advanced.

Toronto has a highly efficient public transport system. Almost every area and suburb of Toronto has access to buses, trains and a rather unique system of street cars. The backbone of the city’s transport is its extensive subway system, which links most of the outlying suburbs to the city centre.

This means that within Toronto, personal vehicles have been relegated to luxury status. Furthermore, it may be worth investing in a bicycle as the Toronto council has made a special effort to make its inner area cyclist friendly.

Moving to Toronto?

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